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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Westfield W-League Round 9 preview

So now we are here at the penultimate round of the Westfield W-League for season 2009. Has it come all too fast, well yes, but also remember that the best part is still to come! This weekend has some cracking games. So particulary for anyone a little bored with the A-League and wants some games that are really season-defining ones, you can't go past the girls this weekend. And with three of the games at some of Australia's best venues, Bluetongue, Hindmarsh and Melbourne's Olympic Park, it's a great chance to see some great football at great grounds.

MELBOURNE VICTORY v CANBERRA UNITED, Saturday 28 November 2009, Olympic Park, 3:00pm local. Live and exclusive on ABC1 and ABC HD from 3.00pm AEDT.
The Melbourne Victory media-release pretty much says it all. Canberra and Melbourne Victory Women currently occupy fourth and fifth respectively on the Westfield W-League ladder, separated only by goal difference with two games remaining in the 10-round season. With Central Coast Mariners, Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC havin g already guaranteed places in the four-team Finals Series, Melbourne Victory and Canberra will likely battle it out for the last remaining spot.After three weeks on the road (including the home game in Shepparton) that have delivered two draws and a loss, Melbourne are desperate for a win at home.
Adding to the mix, is that Melbourne and Canberra have some fantastic history. Well fantastic for Canberra, in three games, the Victory have never claimed a point. And then there is THAT game from last year, when Amy Chapman slotted the 93rd minute winner to book Canberra's finals spot. Which will still be haunting every Melbourne player that played in that game last year. Melbourne captain Tal Karp wants some pride.Melbourne Victory Women co-captain, Tal Karp, said this week’s match is do-or-die for the team.“We haven’t taken a point off Canberra in two seasons, so this Saturday is definitely a grudge match for us,” Karp said. “We need the points to progress – but we also need a positive result to reclaim a bit of pride - our girls are hungry for the win.”Karp said the team must play smarter if they’re to beat Canberra. “Last time we played Canberra, they were better organised than us. I think we have the quality of players to beat them, but we need to play as a team.”The Round 9 match has been moved due to the condition of Bob Jane Stadium's surface, but will still be broadcast live and exclusively as scheduled on ABC1 from 3pm.“The team is really looking forward to playing at Olympic park. It is such a fantastic surface - probably one of the best parks we have played on all season,” Karp said. “Most of the girls are really excited, although some are little nervous. Broadcasting is such a good thing in terms of boosting the popularity of our game and the numbers of girls playing football in Victoria - we intend to make the most of it!”
A big in for Canberra with Thea Slatyer, who has returned from overseas touring just in time to play a part. Slatyer doubles the Matildas caps in the team and while United already have plenty of capable defenders, it means they can now move someone like Bronwyn Studman, Nicole Sykes or Ellyse Perry (probably Perry), into the midfield where they can really use their pace. Melbourne have American Julianne Sitch back from suspension which will be a boost.
TEAMS
Melbourne Victory squad: 1. Melissa BARBIERI (gk), 2. Vedrana POPOVIC, 3. Marlies OOSTDAM, 4. Tal KARP, 5. Laura ALLEWAY, 6. Maika RUYTER-HOOLEY, 8. Katie THORLAKSON, 9. Stephanie CATLEY, 10. Deanna NICESKI, 11. Julianne SITCH, 12. Monnique HANSEN KOFOED, 13. Katrina GORRY, 14. Selin KURALAY, 18. Ursula HUGHSON, 20. Nicole PAUL (gk)
In: Julianne SITCH (returns from suspension)
Out: Enza BARILLA (not selected)
Unavailable: Nil
Canberra United Squad: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS, 2. Rebecca KITING, 3. Bronwyn STUDMAN, 5. Kahlia HOGG, 6. Ellie RAYMOND, 7. Ellie BRUSH, 8. Emily VAN EGMOND, 9. Grace GILL, 10. TSENG Shu O, 11. Cian MACIEJEWSKI, 12. Snez VELJANOVSKA, 13. Thea SLATYER, 14. Ashleigh SYKES, 15. Nicole SYKES, 16. Ellyse PERRY, 19. Jen BISSET, 20. Jocelyn MARA
*two to be omitted*
In: Thea SLATYER (new signing)
Out: Lucy ALLAN (short term contract ended)
Unavailable: LIN Chiung Ying (injury – knee – season), Christine WALTERS (injury – calf – indefinitely), Sally SHIPARD (awaiting international clearance)

PERTH GLORY v BRISBANE ROAR, Saturday 28 November 2009, Clipsal Stadium, 3:00pm local time.(6:00pm AEDT). So Perth must win to keep any chances of finals hopes alive and no doubt they will want to make-up for the 6-0 thrashing the Roar handed-out last time. Coach John Gibson certainly does. “It will be a very tough game this weekend against Brisbane, we have a score to settle after the result last time we played them and we are definitely going into the game looking to win” said the Glory coach. The last time the Roar visited Perth in season one of the W-League, Brisbane escaped with a 5-3 win thanks to two last minute goals after trailing the home side 1-3 at the main break and Gibson will be hoping for a similar positive response this time around, barring the glut of goals against.“The amount of goals conceded recently is not a concern in regards to individuals, it’s the whole group defending collectively that we need to work on. It takes a whole unit to defend, and we have been working on that at training during the week. A lot of it is organisation, and the errors we have made are because of a lack of concentration at vital moments in the game” said Gibson. Without those lapses in concentration, Gibson feels that the league table would look a lot different in complexion, with the Glory currently sitting four points outside of the fourth finals position.“For large chunks of games this year we have competed very well and it has been pleasing to see that level of competition against some of the country’s best players.”“Finals are still in the back of our minds, but mainly we are focusing on our performances and the processes involved in making sure we are not only competitive, but in a position to take maximum points from our remaining matches.” Lisa de Vanna is suspended again, this time for gathering too many yellow-cards this season. But perhaps a break is what she needs? Up in Brisbane after their shock 2-2 draw last week, they have brought back some of their best-players, Courtney Beutel, Kate McShea and Aivi Luik. Coach Jeff Hopkins is still thinking that the league title is within reach, from http://www.brisbaneroar.com.au/, “I guess the main thing is we now have to put that game behind us and start looking forward to Perth,” Hopkins said.“Perth is a very, very tough road trip for us.” Hopkins said he hoped his team would take some lessons from the draw with Adelaide, particularly tightening up on set-pieces, an area where the Roar has conceded twice in two weeks. Despite thrashing Perth 6-0 at Ballymore Stadium three weeks ago, Hopkins said there would be no complacency in the preparation for the match.“Firstly they are a very good side with some excellent attacking players and secondly the length of the journey,” he said.“We’re going to prepare very well for it this week with a light week, we’ll travel to Perth the day before and stay the night after.
TEAMS
Perth Glory squad: 1. Emma WIRKUS (GK), 3. Carys HAWKINS, 4. Sam KERR, 5. Shannon MAY, 6. Ella MASTRANTONIO, 7. Elissia CANHAM, 8. Tanya OXTOBY (C), 9. Dani CALAUTTI, 12. Katie GILL, 13. Elisa D’OVIDIO, 15. Alex SINGER, 16. Sadie LAWRENCE, 17. Marianna TABAIN, 18. Ellis GLANFIELD, 19. Katarina JUKIC, 20. Zoe PALANDRI *one to be omitted*
In: Katarina JUKIC (promoted)
Out: Lisa DE VANNA (suspended – 1 week)
Unavailable: Collette McCALLUM (ankle – indefinite), Ciara CONWAY (knee – season)
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Casey DUMONT (gk) 2. Kate MCSHEA, 3. Karla REUTER 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE (c), 6. Joanne BURGESS, 7. Pam BIGNOLD, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 9 Jenna TRISTRAM, 10.Lana HARCH, 11. Aivi LUIK, 12. Steph LATHAM 13. Tameka BUTT, 14.Sasha MCDONNELL 15. Leah CURTIS 16. Lauren COLTHORPE 18. Courtney BEUTEL, 19. Ellen BEAUMONT, 20. Kate STEWART (gk) *three to be omitted*
In: Courtney BEUTEL (promoted), Kate MCSHEA (promoted), Aivi LUIK (promoted), Alisha FOOTE (promoted)
Out: Nil
Unavailable: Emily GIELNIK (foot), Brooke SPENCE (ankle - season)

Remember to check out, http://www.thewomensgame.com/, for more great W-League stories and news from Perth. Stay tuned here for a Tom Sermanni wrap on the AFC under-16 girls tournament.